Deep Purple lead guitarist and mastermind, Ritchie Blackmore, 29, has never been known to let tact stand in the way of a good interview. The following conversation, which occurred on Purple’s recent American tour, found Blackmoor in a refreshingly self-deprecating mood.

You seem quite satisfied with your image.

Yes, quite satisfied. I don’t mind being thought of as a moody bastard. I’m actually a very serious person, and when I get girls coming up to me and saying “Why don’t you smile?” I get nasty. If I’m relaxed, you see, I look like I’m miserable. That’s the way it is. I’m just not laughing. I don’t laugh at “Didja hear the one about the Englishman and the Irishman?” I say “No,” and walk away. I love to walk away halfway through a joke. God knows where that’s coming from, but I love to fuck jokes up. The only thing that makes me laugh are practical jokes. I love to turn fire extinguishers on in restaurants. That’s funny